Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Sharky's Machine (1981)
Sharky's Machine
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Sharky's Machine (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 22 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.0/10   1,741 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 9% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Burt Reynolds
Writers:
William Diehl (novel)
Gerald Di Pego (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Sharky's Machine on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 December 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
Nobody leans on Sharky's Machine. [Theatrical] more
Plot:
Tom Sharky is a narcotics cop in Atlanta who's demoted to vice after a botched bust. In the depths of this lowly division... more | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. more
User Comments:
Dirty Harry Goes To Atlanta more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Burt Reynolds ... Sgt. Tom Sharky
Vittorio Gassman ... Victor
Brian Keith ... Papa
Charles Durning ... Friscoe
Earl Holliman ... Hotchkins
Bernie Casey ... Arch
Henry Silva ... Billy Score
Richard Libertini ... Nosh
Darryl Hickman ... Smiley

Rachel Ward ... Dominoe
Joseph Mascolo ... Joe Tipps

Carol Locatell ... Mabel
Hari Rhodes ... Highball Mary
John Fiedler ... Barrett
James O'Connell ... Twigs
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
122 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Finland:K-16 (cut) (1982) | Iceland:16 | Sweden:15 | Australia:R | Norway:16 (1982) | Norway:18 | UK:18 (cut) | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Atlanta, Georgia, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Robert Duncan McNeill's film debut. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the opening scene, Murray the Junkman is seen holding the bag of heroin before Sharky hands it to him. more
Quotes:
Sharky: You know Frisco, when we used to flush the toilet upstairs, we always wondered where it came to... more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Jackie Brown (1997) more
Soundtrack:
Somewhere, Someway (Love Theme) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful:-
Dirty Harry Goes To Atlanta, 18 December 2004
8/10
Author: clockwork8812 from USA

That's how Burt Reynolds describes this film, which happens to be his best ever. He plays Tom Sharky, a vice detective who's on the trail of an international mobster (Vittorio Gassman) and the man he's financing to be the next governor of Georgia (Earl Holliman). In the novel by William Diehl, the story is more complex because the guy's running for president. This is a very long movie that feels more like three hours instead of two. The filming in downtown Atlanta and the Peachtree Plaza hotel sets the mood just right for the story. Reynolds doesn't do much laughing in this one compared to his comedy films. He's very serious here, especially in the beginning of the movie because he gets demoted for a dope bust that goes wrong. At times though, the movie plays more like a voyeuristic drama than a crime film with Burt trying to get close to the mobster's woman. Only towards the end of the film does the violence get cranked up that leads to the bang bang climax. Just like the great jazz score in DIRTY HARRY by Lalo Schifrin, Sharky's Machine features an excellent urban jazz soundtrack with many guest stars including Chet Baker, Julie London, Flora Purim & Buddy De Franco, The Manhattan Transfer, Doc Severinson, Sarah Vaughan and Joe Williams. Al Capps handles the score with magic. This movie has become one of the best crime dramas ever. Check it out.

Score, 8 out of 10 Stars

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Sharky's Machine (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Re-adapting the novel, not remaking the movie fantfilmcook
cassette or cd for sound track gsmithpoa
Miss this kind of an action movie bnkholen
Tasty but serve with White Lighting for best results zurichpoet
2 Outrageous Parts to this Film (spoilers) petestubbs
Its on TV right now OEDO-UKHEH
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Coffy Romeo Is Bleeding Renegades The Big Heat Traffic
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.